A PROFILE OF THE POOR IN SINGAPORE : A SURVEY

Abstract

In the light of current growing concern for the widening gap between the rich and the poor within and between countries all around the world, this thesis proposes as its principle objective a further analysis of the profile of the poor in Singapore which is a non-welfare state. In this study, an example of a 'welfare state', the United States of America is illustrated too. Following this is a discussion on the various programs and schemes available to help the poor in Singapore. To facilitate the study of the Singapore case, a survey is done on a sample of 100 one- and two-room rental flat households. The questions in the survey serve to obtain a clear picture of the profile of these households and to find out whether they receive any assistance from the government and non­ government welfare organizations. The findings of the survey bring out some problems and issues surrounding Singapore's so-called welfare system. The policy implications drawn from these findings then give a complete discussion on this topic.